PCV Replaced, Crankcase Pressure Still Not Fixed

ShaverNS1 · Post by **ShaverNS1** » 27 Dec 2015, 14:25

Good Afternoon!

First post here, but I've been reading for a couple months as I've started to work on my 1998 Volvo V70 GLT (183,000mi, unknown number of previous owners...). Between this site and Robert DIY on Youtube, I started some projects on the car, the biggest being the PCV replacment. Appreciate all the posts and pics--the site is amazing (will donate shortly!). Here's where I stand:

Initial issues:
-Smoke coming from dipstick
-Significant oil beneath spark plug cover (fixed with replaced oil filler cap gasket)
-Significant pressure coming from engine with oil filler cap removed (per Robert DIY's "glove test")
-Oil leaking
-Rear camshaft seal (pretty sure this is one spot--tons of oil and build up in the area, including on top of the PCV valve)
-Unidentified source that makes its way down the front side of the oil pan (the entire face) and accumulates into big drops for my driveway
-Knock Sensor CEL (forgot which of the two codes)

Work done three weeks ago:
-Drivebelt/Timing Belt replacement (along with all components--let the shop do this one)
-PCV replacement (FCP's "OEM" kit, used Spray-a-Gasket Copper Spray on the gasket)
-Thorough cleaning of the PTC Valve (full-on, looking brand-new kind of cleaning)
-Vacuumed K&N air filter
-Replaced spark plugs, wires, distributor cap/rotor
-Replaced knock sensors (figured I was already in there)
-Replaced oil filler cap gasket
-Replaced all TCV hoses with silicone and cleaned out all the random one-way valves, replacing some of the rotted hoses with solid heater hose
-Cleaned throttle and replaced throttle cable
-Replaced upper torque rod bushing with the FCP polyurethane replacement (that was super fun...)

Remaining issues:
-Still have smoke coming from dipstick
-Still have significant pressure coming from engine
-Oil leak from camshaft seal has increased a bit (my guess is that the pressure initially escaping through the old oil filler gasket is now pushing a little harder through that seal)

So, I need to figure out the pressure situation before I start replacing gaskets and seals trying to stop (or minimize) my oil leaks. All the ports from the engine were cleaned thoroughly (weren't that dirty to begin with) and, again, the PTC nipple is now really clean. Don't have any CEL codes right now. Trying to knock out as much of this as I can before my second kid is born in a few weeks.

Any Ideas/Recommendations?
-Attempt the 5/8 in heater hose instead of the OEM PCV set-up?
-Go for a Seafoam treatment?
-Bite the bullet and take it in to the local Volvo guy?

Per usual, appreciate your help and any random Volvo wisdom you can throw my way.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 27 Dec 2015, 17:46

Did you really clean up the passage from the bottom of the oil trap into the bottom of the block? That is a tough one to get clean but if it is blocked it causes the pressure problems you describe. From the hole it elbows down into a square tube that goes into the sump.

...Lee

Post by **RussB** » 27 Dec 2015, 17:53

The place to start is with a compression check, done before you put a single dollar into parts. You would have perhaps found a bad head gasket or tired rings

Post by **tryingbe** » 27 Dec 2015, 19:01

ShaverNS1 wrote: Work done three weeks ago:
-Drivebelt/Timing Belt replacement (along with all components--let the shop do this one)
-PCV replacement (FCP's "OEM" kit, used Spray-a-Gasket Copper Spray on the gasket)

What did you exactly buy? This?
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... 95-850t100

Was your cam shaft seals changed at the same time? Were Volvo or Corteco seals used?

ShaverNS1 · Post by **ShaverNS1** » 27 Dec 2015, 21:14

Ozark Lee wrote:Did you really clean up the passage from the bottom of the oil trap into the bottom of the block?

Lee, after the replacement, I thought that's where the issue might be, so I got in there again and believe I did a pretty thorough job (including some gentle work with a dental pick). By the time I was done, I could fit a large zip tie through the upper right side flat and vertical and pull back clean oil. I took a video on my phone while working it and it seemed to be pretty clean--all I could see was metal and the pick wasn't bringing anything back from the corners.

I was thinking the Seafoam might do a better job reaching any areas that I may have missed or spots that aren't accessible.

ShaverNS1 · Post by **ShaverNS1** » 27 Dec 2015, 21:25

tryingbe wrote: What did you exactly buy? This?
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... 95-850t100

Was your cam shaft seals changed at the same time? Were Volvo or Corteco seals used?

Tryingbe,

I used the following kit:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... bo-850t200

The shop changed everything on the belt-side of the engine; I don't believe they did anything on distributor side (I'll try to follow up with them). They also picked the timing belt replacement kit, so I don't know what seals were used. That whole job is under warranty, so I can follow up with them if I find any issues there.

I picked up an Ehlring rear camshaft seal that I have not installed yet (trying to figure out pressure issues before replacing any seals or gaskets...)

ShaverNS1 · Post by **ShaverNS1** » 27 Dec 2015, 21:28

RussB wrote:The place to start is with a compression check, done before you put a single dollar into parts. You would have perhaps found a bad head gasket or tired rings

RussB,

I'll look into that when I get some time.

ShaverNS1 · Post by **ShaverNS1** » 16 Feb 2016, 22:48

For anyone still tracking on this...

Ended up having a compression test and leak-down test done. Mech says everything looks good and that the positive pressure is "well within acceptable levels." Does that sound legitimate?

Also tracked down the order to the PCV system I used as a replacement--it was all OEM ordered off of IPD. I'd bailed on FCP due to a good sale price with IPD. Looked it up to make sure after mechanic said the alternate brand oil traps have a weak diaphragm that often fails quickly.

Ended up replacing upper and lower oil cooler hoses (one was leaking) and am having all four cam seals replaced in an attempt to keep the driveway clean for a little while.

We'll see...

Post by **rspi** » 17 Feb 2016, 02:55

You really should get the compression numbers. They are easy to do.

Diaphragm, huh? Never heard that one.

101 · Post by **101** » 17 Feb 2016, 06:22

I highly recommend the 5/8" hose mod. It corrected the pressure situation and fixed my problem oil seepage.

Did you get the PTC orifices nice and clean?